BANT’S thoughts re: Type 2 diabetes: NHS to offer 800-calorie diet treatment
Following press reports of NHS England offering Diabetic patients an 800-calorie diet to reverse Type 2 Diabetes, BANT (British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine) would like to comment.
Following a trial last year, which helped half of participants living with Type 2 Diabetes, the NHS is now rolling out the low-calorie programme. The treatment consists of 800-calories per day using liquid meals and shake for 3 months.
BANT would like to express concern around the lack of education given to the patients around diet and lifestyle factors that mediate Type 2 Diabetes. There is also reliance on shakes and meal replacements which takes the patient away from a whole-food approach. Often shakes are filled with sweeteners and synthetic vitamins and minerals and therefore not a credible match for quality nutritious food. Finally, there is no mention of calorie quality and it's well-regarded that not all calories are equal and in fact consuming 800 calories of sugary foods may do little with reversing Type 2 Diabetes. The programme may, therefore, only be a 'quick-fix' and creates a high risk of relapse without educating the client on the right foods for prevention of the disease.
BANT Registered Nutrition Practitioners consider individuality that enables personalisation of dietary advice based on the most up-to-date research available. They do not suggest ‘one-size-fits-all’ advice following the health trend of the moment. BANT Nutrition Practitioners will provide the advice that best suits the client in front of them and educate their clients on diet and lifestyle factors for prevention and supporting health concerns.
